The ACC had a rough ride in 2024. Sure, Clemson walked away with the conference title—but it wasn’t exactly a flex. The Tigers squeezed into the CFP race with three losses and left with a fourth. Meanwhile, Miami fumbled their must-win moment, finishing 10-3. SMU showed some promise with an 11-3 record, but couldn’t finish strong either. Yeah, 10- and 11-win seasons might sound shiny—but in ACC territory last year, they didn’t mean much. Despite a few teams making the 12-team playoff field, it wasn’t a year that screamed dominance. But now? Things feel different. 2025 is already buzzing with renewed energy. And according to Josh Pate, one sleeper team is stirring the pot—ready to challenge the usual powers of Clemson and Miami.
On the March 24th episode of The Josh Pate CFB Show, Pate turned heads with a bold prediction that could shake up the entire conference landscape. “Give me Clemson at Georgia Tech in Week Three. This is not on many radars right now—it should be. I think Georgia Tech is a sleeper team to win the ACC this year. I think that they’re sitting there at home early in the season. It could be an ACC quarterback of the year-type matchup.” Yeah, you heard that right—Georgia Tech.
Pate is clearly not just throwing this out there for fun. He doubled down, pointing to the matchup between Clemson’s Cade Klubnik and Georgia Tech’s Haynes King as a potential early-season showdown that could shift the ACC title race. And the Yellow Jackets aren’t just banking on their quarterback. They’ve got serious offensive weapons too—running back Jamal Haynes returns, joined by key transfers like Malachi Hosley, plus FIU wide receivers Eric Rivers and Dean Patterson. On paper, this offense can move. Fast.
And Clemson? They’re still loaded with talent. Defensive end T.J. Parker and tackle Peter Woods anchor a tough front, and Klubnik is back after a 36-touchdown season. So, this game won’t just be fireworks—it could be a full-blown ACC statement.
Georgia Tech’s path is wide open—if they beat Clemson…
Pate didn’t stop at the matchup. He outlined a scenario where the Yellow Jackets could run the table to Charlotte—if they pull off the upset in Week Three. “Picture this,” said Pate, describing Tech’s favorable schedule. They’ve got only two “tier-one” games all year: Clemson and Georgia. And guess what? Both are at home. Plus, only Clemson affects their ACC standings. If Georgia Tech stuns the Tigers early, they don’t even face another tier-two team after that. The rest of the schedule? More than manageable.
The path is clear. The opportunity is real. And suddenly, Georgia Tech isn’t just another mid-tier team—they’re in the conversation. Now, how this plays out also depends on Clemson’s start to the season. Pate made it clear—Week One against LSU will tell us everything about where the Tigers stand. “If they lose to LSU in Week One, they’ll be in full-on ‘wounded animal’ mode—desperate and dangerous. But if they win? They could be over-hyped, maybe even overrated. At which point, I’ll just be asking—what are they rated?”
It’s a fair point. The Tigers might walk into Atlanta with all the pressure in the world or ride too high. Either way, Georgia Tech could catch them off guard. And that’s exactly what makes this sleeper pick so intriguing. Of course, not everyone is riding the Yellow Jacket bandwagon. Some analysts still believe the ACC title runs through its two biggest brands—Clemson and Miami.
Miami and Clemson’s 2025 dream might unfold differently
CBS Sports’ Chip Patterson recently pointed out that five ACC teams could realistically push for the College Football Playoff this year—and Clemson still leads the charge. Dabo Swinney’s team finished strong in 2024 and looks like a force again in 2025. With former Penn State DC Tom Allen revamping the defense and Klubnik entering his third year under center, Clemson feels ready to dominate. And then there’s Miami.
The ‘Canes were right there last season—until they blew it with a collapse against Syracuse. Still, Mario Cristobal has been busy this offseason, revamping the staff and reshaping the roster. The biggest move? Bringing in former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, a proven talent who, if healthy, could be a game-changer. With stacked offensive and defensive lines, plus new DC Corey Hetherman, Miami could easily find themselves in Charlotte come December.
So… who runs the ACC in 2025?
The real beauty of this upcoming season? No one knows. Clemson has the experience. Miami has the firepower. And now, Georgia Tech has a real chance to crash the party.
Josh Pate’s sleeper pick might seem bold—but it’s backed by more than just hot takes. It’s about timing, matchups, and momentum. And if Georgia Tech seizes their moment in Week Three, the ACC title picture might look a whole lot different than anyone expected. For now, the spotlight’s on the Yellow Jackets. Let’s see if they’re ready for it.
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